Aspirations

Chapter 41 Unexpected Encounter
Cao Shuli blushed slightly, and whispered shyly: "Langjun don't talk nonsense, I just came to thank Xia Langjun for his life-saving grace."

"I can't repay the kindness of saving my life. Is it a promise of my body, or a cow and a horse to repay in the next life?" Although Shen Bao was also amazed at Cao Shuli's beauty, he did not flirt with a few words when he came up like Zhang Hou, but he was right. At the age of young Mu Ai, it was inevitable that she would be happy to see Mei Xin and make a few jokes.

Cao Shuli didn't know what Shen Bao said, and smiled sweetly: "What's the difference?"

"Naturally it's very different." Shen Bao's brows danced, and his hands were dancing, almost jumping up, "If you can't repay your wishes and promise each other, it's the lady who fell in love with Langjun. , the implication is that Lang Jun is too ugly, and would rather be a horse in the next life than be a married woman in this life..."

"Hey..." Cao Shuli's face was like a rosy cloud, and she couldn't help laughing, "Mr. Xia Lang saved my father's life. I think my father will have to be a cow and a horse in the next life to repay."

Shen Bao laughed: "The father's debt to the daughter is repaid, the afterlife is too far away, so it's better to only talk about this life. The sage said, if you don't know life, how can you know death?"

Cao Shuli smiled indifferently: "I have been taught. Judging from benevolence and righteousness, self-cultivation and Taoism, and those who die by doing their best, have a righteous life."

Shen Bao was stunned and stood on the spot, scratching his head with his hands. Although Cao Shuli didn't answer his question directly, he firmly expressed his heart with the words of a sage. Strange woman, strange woman, brother Xia, if you don’t marry this woman, I will risk my life to marry her.”

Xia Xiang repaid Shen Bao with a non-nonsense look, bowed his hands to Cao Shuli, and pressed Jin Jia again and said, "Mr. Jin Jia, what's the shocking event, tell me first, don't panic."

"Where is the old man flustered? The old man is as motionless as a pine, and as calm as a mountain." Jin Jia forced himself to be calm, pretending to be calm, but only held back for a moment, then couldn't hold back the doubts in his heart, pulled Xia Xiang aside, and whispered, "Strange thing It's weird. After using your medicine bed and medicine chair Mr. Cao, you have seen the effect, the symptoms have eased a lot, and now you can walk around on the bed. In a month or so, even if you can't recover, you will recover. But I don't know why, After the emperor used the medicinal bed and medicinal chair, his illness did not alleviate at all, Lord Xia Lang, do you know why?"

Zhang Hou, Shen Bao, Cao Shujun and others knew that Jin Jia had something to talk to Xia Xiang alone, so they would follow without knowing what to do. Only Cao Shuli followed closely behind Xia Xiang.

Naturally, Cao Shuli is not ignorant, and this matter is also related to her.

"After the medicine bed medicine chair is finished, let daddy use it first. After daddy used it for three days, the coldness in his body weakened a bit. After seven days, the crisis was turned to safety. Not only can he eat normally, but he can also walk around for half an hour." Cao Shuli said simply. She admired and liked Xia Xiang for the miraculous effect of the medicine bed and medicine chair. She believed that Xia Xiang was the lucky star of the Cao family who fell from the sky. He not only helped Cao Shujun, but also saved his father. But, "Mr. Xia Lang's great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten by Cao Shuli. Please accept my worship, Mr. Xia Lang!"

Xia Xiang wouldn't let Cao Shuli worship him, and before Cao Shuli could bend down, he stepped forward and supported her arm: "You don't need to be polite, little lady Cao, I just tried it by mistake, and I just moved If it weren't for Mr. Jin Jia's medical theory and Cao Shujun, Cao Sanlang personally made the medicine bed and medicine chair, I would not have been able to do anything."

"Does this sound like this old man is going to rob you of your credit?" The golden-armored beard trembled, and he patted Xia Xiang on the shoulder, "Young man, being humble and reserved is a good thing, if you are too humble and reserved, it is hypocritical. Traitorous, loyal and false, you should take the lead in the matter of medicine beds and medicine chairs. If it weren't for your whimsy, the old man and Cao Saburo would be helpless. Are you stupid in reading? Cao Xiaoniang is so important Thanks to you, you want to make a promise with your body, you are holding onto Miss Cao's hand, are you agreeing?"

Xia Xiangcai helped Cao Shuli in a hurry, and didn't want to grab her slender hand. If it wasn't for Jinjia's reminder, he hadn't noticed it. At this time, he felt that his hand was as smooth as jade. It is like holding a treasure in his hands.He couldn't help but swayed in his heart, quietly exerted force, then let go, and said with a smile, "Cao Xiaoniang already has someone in her heart. Although I admire her elegance, it is still a step too late. A gentleman does not take people's love..."

Xia Xiang let go of Cao Shuli's jade hand, took a step back, and returned the ceremony solemnly.

Xia Xiangcai's tone was dignified and sad, and the gift was solemn and formal, as if saying goodbye to Cao Shuli.Cao Shuli had just been held by Xia Xiang with her right hand, she was both happy and ashamed, but he turned around so mercilessly, she couldn't help feeling sad, tears almost fell, she also took a step back, straightened her clothes and said, "Mr. I don’t even have a sweetheart, if you despise me, just say it, you don’t have to be so righteous.”

"Haha, Mrs. Cao, you are still too anxious, and you have been deceived by Xia Langjun." Jin Jia has long been pessimistic about love affairs between men and women, and his experience is much richer than Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli, and his heart is like a mirror, "Xia Langjun has not He said that he was interested in you, but he used retreat as an advance, on the grounds that you had a sweetheart, to test your intentions. You, you, even said it directly. It's good, but he knows your affection for him. If you accept you, it's fine, if you don't accept you, won't you be ridiculed by others?"

Cao Shuli blushed, she was both ashamed and sullen, after a while, she regained the breeze and bright moon, and smiled sweetly: "I admire the talent of Xia Langjun, and I like Xia Langjun's heart, it's just my own business, and Xia Langjun It doesn't matter whether you accept my affection or not. High mountains and flowing waters do not necessarily have to have bosom friends, without bosom friend, the mountains are still majestic and the water is still gurgling."

Xia Xiang secretly praised that Cao Shuli has a changeable mind but is pure and kind, with an indifferent temperament and a rare strength, she must be a good wife and good mother.

But...the exam has passed, and I still don't know if I will be a jinshi. Although Xia Xiang was moved by Cao Shuli's affection, he just smiled: "Cao Xiaoniang is like the clear wind and bright moon, the phoenix among people, I can only look up to the heart. By the way, Mr. Jin Jia, the emperor's disease and Cao Gong's disease should not be the same disease, in addition to the medicine bed and medicine chair, the emperor should also pay more attention to diet."

Cao Shuli came to welcome Xia Xiang full of joy, not wanting Xia Xiang to evade and refuse to answer after learning about her intentions, she felt a little unwilling, but she was not in a hurry, so she was not disappointed.

"The emperor's diet is mainly light, and he adds medicinal food, which is mainly to replenish qi and blood, and add the yang qi supplemented by the medicine bed and medicine chair. ?" Jin Jia couldn't understand it. It stands to reason that he should discuss this matter with all the doctors in the imperial hospital. Xia Xiang is just a scholar and an irrelevant person, but Xia Xiang's idea cured Cao Yong. As a result, he even believed that Xia Xiang's method was also applicable to the emperor.

Xia Xiang was also helpless. He was not a doctor at first, and he didn't know what the emperor's symptoms were. He didn't even see the emperor to take the emperor's pulse. Even if he is fortunate enough to meet the emperor, his medical skills are far from Jinjia, and Jinjia does not know the reason, and he is even less likely to know.

He didn't want to feel uncomfortable, and he did not have medical skills to diagnose and treat the emperor, which was the crime of deceiving the emperor.

"Is it not enough firepower?" Cao Shuli has been working hard for her father day and night recently, and has personally set fire to her father's medicine bed and medicine chair, knowing that if the firepower is insufficient, the efficacy of the medicine will be greatly reduced, "Or, the wood used is still damp and cold. ?"

The firewood used for ignition is best taken from trees that are more than ten years old, and should be dry and free of moisture.

Jin Jia shook his head again and again: "What you have considered, the old man has thought of it, and he has checked them all, and it is not the problem. That is why the old man hurried to see Xia Langjun, maybe he can think of what we have missed and neglected. But now it seems that he is also very poor."

Xia Xiang was helpless, Jin Jia begged him and called him a donkey. He smiled aggrievedly: "I just came out of the exam room, and none of you asked me how I did in the exam, but asked me about things that had nothing to do with me. , also blame me for being incompetent, how can there be such a reason in the world?"

"What do you mean it has nothing to do with you? Xia Xiang, do you still have the heart to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country?" Jin Jia's face showed a slight anger, but after a flash, he laughed again, "I don't ask how you did in the exam, yes We all believe that you must go to high school. If you don't go to high school, the old man will tell you to study medicine with me and join the Imperial Hospital in front of the emperor."

Jin Jia is still obsessed with letting him worship him as a teacher?Xia Xiang didn't realize that his head was too big, and he hurriedly said: "If you don't go to high school this year, come back in three years."

"You can take the exam in three years, but Mrs. Cao can't wait for three years." Jin Jia is now in love with Xia Xiang, Xia Xiang doesn't want to study medicine with him, and he can marry Cao Shuli. Xia Xiangruo became the son-in-law of the Cao family, and he would not be able to follow his orders in the future, so he spared no effort to match Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli, "Xia Langjun, you must choose one of three things. One, follow the old man. Enter the palace to diagnose the emperor's illness. Second, you can help the old man find out why the emperor's condition has not improved. Third, marry Cao Shuli."

Someone forced him to get married before the list was released?Xia Xiang was once again pushed to the point of no return by Jin Jia, the main reason was that Cao Shuli stood beside him calmly, neither shy nor hiding his face, but just looked at him with a smile, waiting for him Reply.

Xia Xiang pondered silently, Jin Jia and Cao Shuli waited patiently for him to answer, he was in a dilemma, the first thing was obviously not good, it was going to lose his head, and he couldn't mess around.The second thing is also not good, he is really not a doctor.The third thing... It's not impossible, it's not possible now, one is that the list has not been released yet, whether it is high school is still unknown, and the other is that marriage matters can't be decided without authorization, and it must be approved by the mother.

"Xia Langjun, Xia Langjun..." When Xia Xiang didn't know how to answer, Shi'er ran over like a gust of wind. She was as light as a butterfly, passing between Jin Jia and Cao Shuli, pulling Xia Xiang's sleeves and turning around He ran and said, "Follow me, I've prepared a banquet at Taipingju in Haojingchang, and I'll take care of the three of you."

Xia Xiang was dumbfounded. He, Zhang Hou and Shen Bao were just taking exams, and they didn't travel far away. Where did the wind and dust come from?Shi'er didn't stop on her feet, her body was weak, but she was quite strong, which made Xia Xiang run along with her.

Xia Xiang had no choice but to wave at Jinjia: "Mr. Jinjia, let me think about it, it's a big deal, so don't take it lightly. Lady Cao, I'll visit you another day. Saburo Cao..."

"I'm going too, I'm going too, you don't want to leave me behind." Cao Shujuan didn't find a chance to talk to Xia Xiang for a long time, seeing Xia Xiang being pulled away by Shi'er, he couldn't be willing to follow, " I have more important things to talk to you about."

Zhang Hou and Shen Bao laughed, and the two followed.

Cao Shuli and Jin Jia looked at Xia Xiang's retreating back, Cao Shuli shook her head and smiled, and there was a hint of worry between her brows.However, Jin Jia stroked his beard and smiled, half talking to himself, half comforting Cao Shuli: "If Xia Xiang is not a high school student, the old man will ask the emperor to reason with him. It is unfortunate for the court that such talent is not used by the court. However, he is still young, although his temperament is not good. Quiet but still not stable enough, it doesn't matter, sooner or later he will understand who is the one who is sincere to him."

Cao Shuli's face flushed slightly, and a sparkle flashed in her eyes: "Zhang Langjun and Shen Langjun are also good to him, and will take care of him a little bit."

"It's good at the moment, but it's hard to say what will happen in the future." Jin Jia's eyes were burning, and his eyes jumped back and forth on the backs of Xia Xiang, Zhang Hou, and Shen Bao. When the three of them are in high school, when they enter the imperial court, there will be partisan disputes due to their different positions. At that time, whether it is the friendship of classmates or the love of living together, they will be forgotten .”

Although Jin Jia is only an imperial doctor, he has seen more of the officialdom because he has lived in the center of the court for a long time. He has also seen with his own eyes that the jinshi in the same examination room, after becoming an official, not only did not belong to the same camp, but pushed each other out. The attack ended up being a lose-lose situation.

"I hope Xia Langjun has a bright future and everything goes well." Cao Shuli's mind is pure and simple.

"With the old man here, Xia Langjun will definitely have a bright future. If anyone is behind him against him, the old man will protect him from being hurt by the bad guys." Jin Jia laughed complacently, "The old man is not talented, although he is far inferior to Hou Ping. He has a high position and weight, and can decide one's future and one's life and death with one word, but he has also walked in the palace and the palaces of the princes for many years. Thanks to the love of the emperor and the princes, it can be regarded as a good relationship, haha. Take ten thousand steps back. Speaking of, even if Xia Xiang really has a hard time to overcome, the big deal is to resign from office and do not do it, and learn medicine from this old man, just relying on the old man's medical skills of dead people and bones, everyone in the world can go to the world."

"Excuse me, are you a doctor?"

As soon as Jin Jia finished speaking, someone behind him suddenly asked a question, the voice was loud and full of air, he turned around and saw two people standing behind him, both dressed as scholars.One has a round face and big eyes, about 25 years old, and the other is as thin as a stick, in his fifties. The two of them, one young and one old, one fat and one thin, form an interesting contrast.

The person who asked the question was a young scholar.

Jin Jia nodded with a proud face: "Exactly. Who are you?"

"Sir, the next one is Kaozi, whose surname is Teng and Zhengyuan. I just finished this year's competition. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel dizzy, unsteady, and weak. Please, sir, save me." Teng Zhengyuan bowed deeply. , with a respectful attitude.

The old man also saluted and said: "Wu Yongwang is the same year as Brother Teng who took the test. The symptoms are similar to those of Brother Teng. Sir, I am old and weak, but I am excusable. Brother Teng is in his prime, why is this so?"

Although Jin Jia is a doctor, he is an imperial doctor. He only diagnoses and treats the emperor and the ministers of the princes. If he and Cao Yongguo have an extraordinary personal relationship, with Cao Yongguo's level, it is difficult to invite him, and it is difficult for ordinary people to see him. , not to mention asking him to see a doctor.

Therefore, Jin Jia was quite dissatisfied with Teng Zhengyuan's behavior of asking a doctor in the street, so he snorted softly from his nostrils, turned around and left.

"Doctor, doctor, please stay." When Teng Zhengyuan came to Beijing at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, how could he know that Shangjing is the capital of the capital and has many rules. He took a few steps forward and stretched out his hand to block Jin Jia's way. It’s not that I don’t pay for the diagnosis. Although the doctors are eccentric and skillful, they are in the industry of hundreds of craftsmen, and they are at least a lot better than the merchants who do business. Besides, you are a Taoist fairy. Shu, so rude, you really despise yourself. Doctor, if I am a high school jinshi in the future, you will be considered a glorious family for me to diagnose and treat me."

Wu Yongwang, who followed closely behind, heard Teng Zhengyuan's generous remarks, his face changed greatly, and he shook his head again and again.

The atmosphere of Great Xia is much clearer than that of the previous dynasties, but the order of scholars, farmers, businessmen and commerce still exists. In the minds of most scholars, everything is inferior, and only reading is high.The reason why Jin Jia valued Xia Xiang was not only because Xia Xiang was indeed extremely intelligent, but also because although Xia Xiang admired reading as the highest, he did not despise agriculture, industry and commerce, just in line with the Confucian way of harmony but difference.He has been a doctor for many years, although he also knows that no matter how clear the atmosphere of the Great Xia is, the status of a doctor cannot be higher than that of a scholar, just like it is still difficult for a businessman to enter the house.

It's just that the status is not high, it does not mean that the heart is not high. Jin Jia has always believed that a good doctor must be a good doctor. This should be the feeling that every scholar should have.If Teng Zhengyuan asked, he might give some pointers, but Teng Zhengyuan pretended to be a scholar who was superior to others, and Jin Jia couldn't bear it any longer.

Wu Yongwang and Teng Zhengyuan were never acquaintances at first, but after the exam, the two came together inadvertently and chatted a few words at random.Teng Zhengyuan originally wanted Wu Yongwang to accompany him to the prestigious Tongrentang in Beijing for a diagnosis and treatment. Unexpectedly, when passing by Jinjia, he heard Jinjia's words and seemed to be a doctor.

(End of this chapter)